When the protesters started to ASSAULT them (trying to yank down the bandanna, etc), they used an out, which was in place ahead of time. They did that for their personal protection. I have been in the middle of a simulated riot, and being swamped by a lot of hostile people is not a lot of fun. You need a fast route out, when things start to go badly.
And there have been a number of confirmed arrests of protesters in the past. The key is that the police usually go "You did something really stupid, but we aren't going to press charges. Please don't do it again." A failure of the justice system, in my opinion - but that is another topic entirely.
I know law enforcement officers, who are on the riot team in Ottawa. I also know people who protest just about everything they can. Credibility goes to the guys holding a line against people tossing bricks, bottles, trying to breach the line, smashing in windows of businesses, and assaulting people taking footage with cameras.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-08-26 06:20 pm (UTC)And there have been a number of confirmed arrests of protesters in the past. The key is that the police usually go "You did something really stupid, but we aren't going to press charges. Please don't do it again." A failure of the justice system, in my opinion - but that is another topic entirely.
I know law enforcement officers, who are on the riot team in Ottawa. I also know people who protest just about everything they can. Credibility goes to the guys holding a line against people tossing bricks, bottles, trying to breach the line, smashing in windows of businesses, and assaulting people taking footage with cameras.